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Thinking of starting a business? Stay on top of the regulations

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By Judith Wright

As the economy improves, more people are taking the leap to start their own businesses. The U.S. government reports nearly half a million small businesses are started each month, but only half of entrepreneurial start-ups survive to a five-year mark. One reason businesses fold is the inability to successfully navigate the maze of laws and regulations. 

When starting a business, most entrepreneurs are confident they have good ideas for a product or service that will sell to a well-researched target customer. Most have a solid handle on the financials, including the cost to offer their products and an understanding of competitive pricing to earn a fair profit. But often, they fail to inform themselves about regulations that impose requirements on the business, and they don’t take into account the cost of complying with those regulations.

Start-up costs to comply with regulations are projected to be in excess of $80,000. And such costs are ongoing. A 2017 study by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce found small businesses pay on average $11,700 per year per employee in regulatory costs. 

When it comes to regulation, running a business is like driving a car. When an individual gets behind the wheel of a car, the law imposes on the driver a duty to follow all the rules of the road. If the driver fails to follow those rules, an officer can pull the driver over and issue a ticket. The same applies to running a business. The owner is expected to know all the rules for operating the business, and if he or she fails to comply, authorities can cite the business for violations. 

A simple example is trash disposal, an area of law with rules that vary widely. For example, more than half of U.S. states regulate disposal of grass and yard waste. These regulations makes sense from an environmental standpoint because grass often contains fertilizers, insecticides and weed killers. But for the entrepreneur who starts a small lawn care service, special disposal requirements can be an area of surprise costs.

As with driving, ignorance of the rules is not a justification for avoiding fines. The cost of non-compliance is estimated to be two to three times the cost of compliance. Fines can mount over time for each act that violates a regulation. While the costs are of concern, spending time resolving regulatory violations greatly distracts from the main focus of making sales and tending to customers. Depending on the severity of the issues, regulatory problems can result in temporary business suspension while problems get addressed. Citations by the government are matters of public record and often result in negative publicity. Competitors frequently fan the flames of such publicity and make sure customers hear about it.

Smart business owners learn the rules and take steps to build compliance into their business plans and processes. The Small Business Administration offers a wealth of knowledge to business owners through its website, publications, education programs and technical assistance initiatives. 

It’s also wise to spend some time with an attorney to make sure proper permits have been secured and other start-up essentials have been put in place. A small investment up front can help the entrepreneur avoid serious, unexpected problems down the road. Ask other business owners for a referral to find a knowledgeable attorney.

Trade associations, made up of member businesses in a given industry, also offer means to stay on top of changing regulations. Associations typically offer industry support through newsletters, education programs, webinars, market research and networking events. 

Managing ongoing compliance can be a continuous concern. But building compliance steps into standard practices provides comfort that the business is regularly meeting requirements. When work is done right every time, the uncertainty of regulatory risk is greatly minimized. 

Understanding the regulatory environment for an industry gives the entrepreneur confidence to invest in the business, add new hires and expand to meet customer needs. 

Judith Wright, clinical assistant professor of business law, Indiana University Kelley School of Business at IUPUI.

Zionsville

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Zionsville

By Jaylon Jones

Named after William Zion, a businessman and mercantile owner, Zionsville was heralded for its land resources by early settlers. Zionsville is in the southeast corner of Boone County, which was founded four years before the town and named after Daniel Boone. Before whites settled the area, Miami Indians lived there.

With a population of about 27,000, Zionsville was founded in 1852 after the Indianapolis, Cincinnati and Lafayette Railroad was finished. Zion was a promoter of railroads and was a member of the board of directors for a proposed railway in Boone County. 

Zionsville was almost named Marysville after Mary Hoover, daughter of David Hoover, the first settler of Eagle Township in Boone County. Hoover’s home held the first election, first church meeting and first probate court. Mary married Elijah Cross, and the couple inherited Hoover’s land when he died. Zion convinced Elijah and Mary Cross to create a town on their land. 

To honor the past, many commercial buildings include historical markers and artifacts. Zionsville holds several seasonal festivals and events such as Cards for Critters and Christmas in the Village. 

Attractions

Antique Fan Museum

The Antique Fan Museum has 2,000 antique fans on display. Some fans even date back to the 1800s. The fan collection includes desk fans, ceiling fans and alcohol-powered fans from more than 140 manufacturers. The two oldest fans, an electric desk fan from the 1890s and a non-electric fan from the 1880s, are part of the museum’s collection. 

In addition, the museum has a number of handheld fans. The Antique Fan Collectors Association (AFCA) has operated this museum since 1997, and the museum was originally located in Wichita, Kansas. However, when the museum needed to be relocated, Fanimation, a ceiling fan manufacturer, offered to house the museum in Zionsville. 

Antique Fan Museum

10983 Bennett Parkway

Zionsville

317-733-4113

fanimation.com/museum

SullivanMunce Cultural Center

Established in 1973, the SullivanMunce Cultural Center is a local resource for art, history and genealogy. The museum and library hold the heritage of Zionsville, Boone County and Indiana. The genealogy library provides more than 5,000 volumes of research materials. Named after Iva Etta Sullivan and Mary Muncie in 2003, the center honors two women who contributed greatly to the town’s heritage. Sullivan, the great-granddaughter of Patrick Henry Sullivan, an early settler of Boone County, bequeathed financing to study and preserve Indiana’s history, particularly Boone County. The Munce Art Center opened in 1981.

SullivanMunce Cultural Center

225 W. Hawthorne St.

Zionsville

317-873-4900

sullivanmunce.org

Accommodations

Brick Street Inn

Originally a simple frame house built in 1865, Brick Street Inn is now a charming establishment, renovated to create comfort for guests. Each room is furnished with antiques and rich colors. Suites offer robes, complimentary bottled water and breakfast each morning in the restaurant. Guests can choose from eight different rooms at varying price points. The inn also offers celebration packages for those visiting for a special occasion. The Chatauqua Room and William Zion Library are available for events. Business retreats or meetings, weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and baby showers are also welcome events.

Brick Street Inn

175 S. Main St. 

Zionsville

317-873-1900

brickstreetinn.com

Dining

My Sugar Pie

Kelly Maucere spent years baking pies for her friends and family before realizing she actually should go into the pie-making business. Maucere, a former teacher and stay-at-home mom, named her business after the nickname she and her mom, who taught her how to bake, use for her children. Maucere makes more than 40 homemade pies using her mom’s pie crust recipe. My Sugar Pie is also located in Greenwood Park Mall, and Maucere’s pies are available at several restaurants in the area including Cobblestone, Auberge, Uptown Café and Provision. 

My Sugar Pie

40 E. Pine St.

Zionsville

317-733-8717

mysugarpie.com

Cobblestone

Opened in 2000, Cobblestone Grill offers guests a contemporary dining experience. Cobblestone features a family dining room and the Bourbon Room. In the warm months the patio is open for dining. Live music — at no cover charge — is featured Wednesday through Saturday nights either on the patio in the summer or in the bar during the chilly months. Cobblestone offers a variety of salads and appetizers. You can also check the draft beer menu for a favorite beer. Reservations for Saturday or Sunday brunch, lunch or dinner are accepted. I

Cobblestone

160 S. Main St.

Zionsville

317-873-4745

cobblestonez.com



Make sure your business isn’t an expensive hobby

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Make sure your business isn’t an expensive hobby

By Nicole Kearney

Since college, I’ve been involved in many entrepreneurial activities. However, it’s my startup, Sip & Share Winery, over the last two years that’s taught me the most about being an entrepreneur. Learn first, realize the why, your purpose and inspiration for starting. Know why your idea is unique and what problem(s) it solves. This will be the fuel to motivate you when things are slow and tough. And they will be both. 

Having good mentors is key. A good mentor is a sounding board, provides valuable insight gained from his or her experiences and can connect you to resources. I found my first mentor on Twitter. I was following her as she operated in the same business space. She graciously gave me her time, introduced me to my next mentor and continues to encourage and inspire me. My second mentor is involved with wine production and promotion. Her advice has been helpful in my learning to navigate the wine industry. My third (and only local) mentor is another person I admire, although we don’t operate in the same business space. She shares her time, resources and blesses my life and business with wisdom and encouragement.

I established relationships with my mentors through networking. Networking is crucial. You want to meet others you can assist in their journey and who will reciprocate. Learn to navigate your personal and professional relationships wisely. Don’t neglect previous relationships either. Be mindful of what you say around those whose progress may be further along than yours. And especially those whose progress may not match yours or are headed in another direction. 

You will experience fear and/or anxiety when you’re putting it all on the line, things aren’t moving as you planned or you’re experiencing obstacles (areas of opportunity). You may need to find a trusted person (even a therapist/counselor) with whom to talk. F. E.A.R. (False Evidence Appearing Real) can overtake your rational self and may cause anxiety. These emotions may exhibit in self-sabotage, imposter syndrome or blocking you from taking the next step. Sip & Share Winery was invited to pour wine at Hue Society’s Black Wine Experience at Essence Fest 2018. In New Orleans, moments from the start of the event, an anxiety attack began. I didn’t feel I belonged in the room. Fortunately, I had support there who got me to breathe and assured me this is where I earned the right to be. He was right as many customers shared their enthusiasm and love for our wines.

For 2019, we hope your financial projections are revised, you receive guidance from a mentor, continue to build your network, while nourishing current relationships and set new intentions to guide you as we all go out and crush it! 

Nicole Kearney is a vintner with a MFA in dramatic writing from Spalding University. When she’s not creating handcrafted, small-batch vegan wines, she’s writing or producing for stage or streaming platforms. For more information visit sipnsharewinery.com. Friend or follow us @sipnsharewinery on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn. 


Apps track fitness goals

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Apps track fitness goals

By Brittany King

With a new year comes new fitness and health goals. While some people will look to an accountability partner to help them shed a few pounds or minutes off their mile time, recent advancements in fitness-tracking technology make it easier than ever to track your progress and health goals. 

Not only are fitness trackers like FitBit, AppleWatch and Nike’s Run Club app available to aid in reaching your fitness goals, more and more businesses across the country are encouraging their employees to get up from behind their desks and get moving. In fact, Forbes estimates that more than 70 percent of public companies are offering or plan to offer some type of wellness program. 

Company incentive programs range from employee run clubs where employees are encouraged to leave work and hit the track to organization-wide weight loss clubs where colleagues can celebrate one another’s weight loss progress. In Indiana, the state has a program where employees receive incentives when they log exercises with a fitness tracker. Some organizations even reward employees who do things like go to the doctor, run a race or who don’t smoke. But company-wide health and fitness programs don’t have to be written into an organization’s policy to make them a reality. And if you’re still on the fence about adopting a program like this here are a few benefits of supporting your employees with their health endeavors. 

Makes Getting Active Convenient

Waking up early to get in a workout before an 8 a.m. meeting isn’t ideal, especially if you add children to the mix. By creating a space in your office building for a small gym, dance room or even standing desks, companies can make the lives of their employees just a bit easier. Some companies take advantage of fitness trackers like FitBits so employees can track their steps. Each step counts toward points which employees can cash in for a small prize. It’s about making movement more accessible and easier to do throughout the day. 

Creates an Accountability Team

If weight loss is the goal, it can be difficult to step on the scale one week and not see any progress. But a little healthy competition can be motivation when you’re doing well or wanting to get back on track. A sense of comradery and support that exists outside of work projects can even make work stronger for those who participate in these programs, according to Forbes contributor Allan Kohll. 

If your company uses the Weight Watchers program to help employees meet weight loss goals, the Weight Watchers app can keep them on track. The app has more than 4,000 Weight Watchers recipes as well as their SmartPoints value, and you can sync the app to your fitness device. 

Shows Employees You Care

When people are treated like a number, rather than individuals, each with different goals and aspirations, it can wear them down over time. A company showing an interest and stake in workers goals creates a sense of belonging.

The Payoff

According to a report from the United States Department of Labor, offering support and incentives for employees looking to better their health actually saves the company money in the long run. Employees who take advantage of these programs are more likely to be alert while at work, more productive and feel supported and included in the workplace. These characteristics have shown to decrease employee stress and increase retention.



Get moving

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Get moving

By Chris Parker

Just because it’s cold    and wet outside is no reason to be a couch plant. There are plenty of opportunities to get your motor running and head out for better health and fitness. Whether at a gym, rec center or even outside, there are plenty of great, sometimes low-cost opportunities to get you into better shape.

Hit the gym

Indianapolis boasts the state’s most innovative program – Indy in Motion – created in cooperation with Marion County Public Health Department, Indy Parks and the National Institute for Fitness and Sport. Indy in Motion offers free classes involving cardio, strength training with resistance bands, balancing and core strength led by an NIFS instructor at 11 different locations.

Health insurers are in on the action as well. UnitedHealthcare announced it was expanding its Medicare Advantage fitness program to its Indiana plans starting in 2019, which they’ve rebranded, Renew Active. It allows free standard memberships to participating gym locations of Anytime Fitness, Curves, LA Fitness, Life Time, Snap Fitness and the YMCA. 

In 2018, 40-year-old nonprofit National Fitness Campaign collaborated with Seymour, Westfield and Mishawka to unveil outdoor gyms in parks in those three towns. The initiative is part of the group’s 100-city rollout featuring a fitness square with 30 individual pieces of stationary equipment to provide a rounded workout and encourage everyone to stay in shape and be healthy.

Cross Country Skiing

Nature is beautiful this time of year, and what better way to witness it than slowly, methodically working your way across snow-swept valleys and woody paths with two poles and skis? Talk about a full-body workout! Nordic skiing burns more calories than any other form of exercise or sport — up to 1,122 calories per hour.

Indeed, one of the most lauded locales in the world for cross-country skiing is the Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton. The dunes, which tower nearly 200 feet above Lake Michigan, formed over thousands of years as glaciers retreated across the Midwest. The adjacent national park, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in Porter is also terrific with great looping trails, though unlike the state park, doesn’t offer ski rentals.

Many areas have created lit trails for night skiing. Snow permitting, T.K. Lawless Park offers Discover Winter Nights in Vandalia on Saturday nights from the middle of January to the middle of February. Besides the lighted trails, past years have featured a tubing hill, hay rides, and a bonfire. 

St. Patrick’s County Park in South Bend also has Skiing Under the Stars from mid January to early February, featuring lit trails, sledding, and hot chocolate. Love Creek County Park, just across the border in Berrien Center, Michigan, offers night skiing using solar lights and headlamps they loan to skiers, conditions permitting.

More popular locales include Stoney Run County Park in Leroy, Oak Ridge Prairie County Park in Griffith, France Park in Logansport and Fox Island County Park in Fort Wayne. Many of those locales also rent skis. Other options might include your local golf course, but call before you go. Lost Marsh Golf Course in Hammond, for example allows skiers, but asks that they check in at the clubhouse.

Hit the Trails

You don’t have to ski the trails. Many of the aforementioned cross-country skiing parks also have snowshoe rentals, which are great for when the snow gets deep. Ferrettie/Baugo Creek County Park in Osceola rents them for $3 per person plus gate fee. It also rents innertubes for sledding (as does St. Patrick’s County Park). Chamberlain Lake Nature Preserve in South Bend has a 1.5-mile trail that leads to a platform overlooking the lake, while Bendix Woods Country Park in New Carlisle is considered one of the state’s best parks for snowshoeing. Neither offer rentals.

If the weather’s willing, there are plenty of great trails for regular hiking. Favorites include the Cardinal Greenway, spanning 62 miles of East Central Indiana from Marion through Muncie to Richmond, Clifty State Falls in Madison which features five waterfalls in a seven-mile trail on the shore of the Ohio River, the Wabash Heritage Trail in Lafayette with a scenic 18-mile run along Burnett Creek and the Wabash River, Turkey Run State Park in Marshall cutting across the canyons along Sugar Creek and the Knobstone Trail, a rugged trail used to train Appalachian thru-hikers featuring the state’s longest natural footpath (60 miles) and reaching an elevation of 20,000.

Mountain bikers are also welcome at many but certainly not all parks. Some of the best spots for mountain bikers include Buffalo Trace (12 mile course) in French Lick, Brown County Park (30) in Nashville, Griffin Bike Park (17) in Terre Haute, Versailles State Park (21) in Versailles, Outback Trail at Imagination Glen (10) in Portage, Winona Lake Trail (11) in Warsaw and Rangeline Nature Preserve (10) in Anderson.

Disc Golf

A traditional golf course is sidelined by snow, but not the flying disc. Once known as Frisbee Golf, the sport continued to grow and expand. There are as many as 150 courses in Indiana, led by Lemon Lake County Park in Crown Point, which features five 18-hole courses and hosted the Professional Disc Golf Association World Championships in 2010 and 2013.

Courses dot the state. Among the most popular are: Rogers Lakewood Park (24 Holes) in Valparaiso, Mesker Parker (18) in Evansville, Mississinewa State Park (24) in Peru, Hazel Landing Park (18) in Carmel, Ox Bow County Park (24) in Goshen, Deming Park (18) in Terre Haute and Garry Cavan Park (18) in Edwardsville, based off reviews left on The Disc Golf Scene.

Ice Skating 

When not doing it in the parking lot at work or other impromptu places, ice skating can be quite invigorating. It’s not hard to find a rink, but there are several that stand out. Central Park Plaza in Valpraiso is a 12,000-square foot open-air pavilion featuring an arched roof covering the 80’ by 120’ rink and showcasing state-of-the-art light and speaker systems. 

Indeed, these outdoor rinks are all the rage. Carmel’s $6 million The Ice at Center Green opened in 2017 with a rink one-and-a-half times as long as the rink in Valpraiso at 180 square feet, though it doesn’t have a roof. Meanwhile Noblesville also added a rink last year, turning Federal Hills Commons, an amphitheatre/farmer’s market in the summer into a 50’ by 80’ ice rink for the holidays.

For those full-grown kids who somehow missed out on skating and hockey, all hope is not lost. Midwest Training and Ice Center in Crown Point offers adult hockey lessons at 10:25 p.m. every Friday night. Can you think of a better way to vent after a long week than doing some cross-checking?

Indoor Outdoor Sports

Or perhaps you want to get your exercise doing an outdoor sport inside. We got you covered. The Indianapolis Rowing Center offers rowing classes at three levels, including one for those without any experience. But maybe you just need to be in the water. No problem. The East Race Whitewater Kayak Club offers a six-lesson course to sharpen your whitewater rafting skills in the Concord High School indoor pool in Elkhart from January through March. I


Staying fit for a lifetime

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Staying fit for a lifetime

By Ryan Lucas

Louise Meals has been a member of the SilverSneakers senior fitness program at the Harper J. Ransburg YMCA in Indianapolis, both as an instructor and a participant, for the past 10 years. Meals, 76, credits the program for keeping her fit and doesn’t know how she would do so without the program. 

“I don’t think I would be as active,” she says. “It kind of makes you want to get up and go.”

SilverSneakers is a free fitness program for people 55 and older and comes with qualifying Medicare plans and offers a variety of different classes at locations nationwide. Offerings include yoga, CardioFit and even shallow-water splash, which all focus on helping seniors keep active and stay strong. 

SilverSneakers offers classes at 414 locations across the state for over 471,000 eligible Hoosier seniors. Classes are offered at gyms including Anytime Fitness, Eastlake Athletic Clubs, Planet Fitness and YMCAs. 

The classes are promoted online at the SilverSneakers website and on social media via Facebook, and SilverSneakers also works with insurance companies to encourage participation.

The program is paired with many different health insurance plans such as Anthem, Aetna and Humana. SilverSneakers works with these companies in order to promote its programs to seniors in Indiana. 

Anthem offers SilverSneakers with all of its Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans. The company provides materials to consumers that are eligible for SilverSneakers when they enroll in a qualifying health plan.

“Exercise has so many mental and physical benefits,” says Sims Corbett, senior learning designer at Tivity Health, the company that offers SilverSneakers. “Not only can it help you lose or maintain weight, build muscle and increase energy, it can also help improve agility, motor skills, mobility and balance, helping people maintain their independence as they age.”

Despite the efforts of some companies to promote SilverSneakers, Meals says she wishes more health plans offered the program. 

“I wish that all of the insurance programs offered it because it’s part of health as well as going to the doctor’s office and watching your blood pressure,” Meals says. “Exercise is as much a part of your health program as anything else, so all insurance companies ought to provide it.” 

SilverSneakers not only helps seniors stay active physically but also helps them branch out socially. According to the SilverSneakers Annual Participant Survey, more than 58 percent of active members say they have friends in the program or have made new friends as a result of their participation. 

“You become more than just an exercise class,” Meals says. “Twice to three times a year we’ll go out to a brunch after class, everybody goes out together and we’ll find that if somebody has a birthday of if somebody falls and gets hurt, we’ll send a card, and everybody will sign the card. It’s a good friendship for people this age.” I


Hoosier Made

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Hoosier Made

By Jaylon Jones

About 55 years ago, Black Jewell Popcorn started growing and selling a one-of-a kind, heirloom strain of black kernel popcorn. In addition to its uniqueness, Black Jewell Popcorn is verified non-GMO and the dark color means it’s packed with antioxidants that help protect against molecules that damage cells, known as free radicals. Headquartered in Columbus, Black Jewell Popcorn offers several varieties of gourmet popcorn kernels, microwave popcorn and packaged, ready-to-eat popcorn.

Owner Sheila Capito creates each blend of Fresco Spice Blends in Fort Wayne. The spices are tested and packed by hand, and each spice is 100 percent natural. Capito starts with spices that are free of additives and each undergoes a three-part inspection to ensure the spice tastes fresh, looks vibrant and smells amazing. Fresco Spice Blends offers a variety of spices: salts and rubs, salt-free spices, multipurpose spices, spicy spices, garlic spices and baking spices. Fresco Spice also offers recipe on their website. 

William Oliver started making wine as a hobby. The Indiana University law professor started growing grapes in northwest Bloomington, and eventually his vineyard had more grapes than he could use as a hobbyist. Oliver then set out to create a commercial winery. To that end, he played an important role in Indiana passing legislation to allow small wineries. The Indiana Small Winery Act passed in 1971 and Oliver Winery opened in 1972. In 1983, William Oliver’s son, Bill, took over the winery. Oliver offers several collections of wines: Creekbend Collection, Vine Series, Soft Wines and Bubblecraft as well as sangria and Camelot Mead, a honey wine.

Before it was known as Tuttle Orchards, it was Tuttle homestead to Roy Tuttle and the grandparents who raised him. Tuttle’s childhood home, built in the 1800s, still stands on the orchard property. Before he started growing his own trees, Tuttle sold apple trees from Starks Brothers Nurseries to farmers. Eventually, Tuttle planted 10 acres of trees in 1928. He also grew other fruit such as cherries, concord grapes, peaches and plums. Roy Tuttle Fruit Farm came into existence. Apple varieties such as Grimes Golden, Rambo and Red Delicious were big sellers. Tuttle Fruit Farm was named a Gold Medal Orchard by the Indiana Horticulture Society in the early 1940s. Today, the orchard sits on 34 acres and produces 24 varieties of apples and at least 20,000 gallons of cider annually. In addition, Tuttle Orchards has 30 acres of vegetable crops and 7,500 square feet of greenhouses. Tuttle Orchards offers group tours for schools, scouts, buses as well as a birthday party location. Annually, more than 8,000 people visit Tuttle Orchard.

Founder Steve Beers started making sauce about 20 years ago. For years people told Beers he should sell his sauce. However, he finally decided to do so with the nudging of his daughter, Amanda. Beers started vending at farmers markets, grew to fairs and craft shows and eventually meat markets and then grocery stores. Now his products are in 80 different stores. A Christ-centered company, the goal of Master’s Hand BBQ is to provide their customers with “delectable barbecue sauce.” Master’s Hand BBQ offers multiple barbecue sauces including the original Taste of Heaven in addition to barbecue rubs, mustard, snack sticks and spices.  I


Creating a fit Indiana

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Creating a fit Indiana

By Oseye Boyd

Every year, Hoosiers across the state vow to make changes that will lead to a healthier lifestyle. Fitness centers swell with new members, department stores discount exercise equipment and fitness gear as people try to stick to their resolutions. As many people have realized, sticking to those resolutions is sometimes easier said than done. Even the most well thought out plan runs into difficulty when there are late nights at work, after school activities for children or even illness. Life is good for throwing a curveball or two.

Thankfully, many companies across the state are stepping in to help employees lead more healthful lives. It’s a trend that continues to grow as more executives realize the payoffs don’t just reduce insurance costs for the company and employees, but healthier employees are more productive, alert and miss fewer days due to illness.

Onsite fitness centers, clinics, rewards programs and gym membership discounts are just a few ways Indiana employers help employees live a lifestyle of wellness. Many companies offer free biometric screenings, which not only reduce the cost of insurance for an individual, but also provide employees with those all-important numbers — blood pressure, cholesterol and glucose, etc. The screenings not only provide data but also offer educational tools to either improve or maintain the numbers. 

Sure, some may consider these efforts to be selfish on the part of employers since getting employees healthier is better for the bottom line, but for many company leaders, it goes beyond saving the company a few dollars. Many business leaders realize Indiana’s obesity rates are a public health concern, and they want to not only be an integral part of improving health outcomes for their employees but the state in general.

According to The State of Obesity, Indiana had the 12th highest obesity rate in the country for adults at 33.6 percent and 11th highest for children ages 10 to 17 in 2017. Across the state, 32.1 percent of whites are obese as are 42.2 percent of Blacks and 28.2 percent of Latinos. When it comes to gender, the obesity rate for men and women is almost identical, 33.5 percent and 33.7 percent respectively.

The problem with obesity is it often leads to other medical issues such as diabetes and cardiovascular conditions — illnesses that affect quality of life. Not only do chronic conditions affect your physical health, they affect your mental health as well. 

I’m glad to see more employers and insurers are beginning to place just as much emphasis on mental health as physical health. We now know many people are struggling with depression, stress or other mental health issues that affect their overall well being. These issues likely affect work. We also know exercise not only improves physical health, it also improves mental health. This is why it’s so important to take care of our bodies. Everything is connected and works in tandem for improved outcomes. A healthy diet gives you the fuel you need to exercise and exercise impacts your body and mind. You sleep better when you exercise. A good night’s rest means you wake up the next day ready to take on the challenges ahead.

While I’m glad we have so many fitness apps and other technologically advanced tools to help us meet our exercise goals, get enough sleep, eat healthy foods, etc., having fancy equipment isn’t a requirement. What is required is that you enjoy your fitness routine. You’re more likely to stick to something you like. The idea is to move, move more and have fun doing it.

Up the Ladder

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Anthem Inc. recently promoted Natalie Cooper to Director II Operations-Federal Employee Program. She is the first African-American to hold the position. In her role, Cooper will oversee all federal employee Blue Cross Blue Shield insurance operations and more than 350 employees. Also, she is the performance enhancement manager. Cooper has a bachelor’s degree in business administration and management from Park University, an MBA in business administration and management and a Master of Science in health services/allied health/health sciences from Trident University International. 

The Junior League of Indianapolis named Patrice Dawson as president. Dawson is PTO president of West Clay Elementary. Previously, Dawson was a delegate for the Organizational Development Institute. She earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics from Greensboro College. 

Taylor University named Rev. Greg Dyson as special assistant to the president of intercultural initiatives. He is director of intercultural leadership at Cedarville University and previously served as senior pastor of First Baptist Church of London, Ohio. In his new role, Dyson will establish and implement strategic plans for diversity and intercultural initiatives. Dyson has a Master of Science degree in organizational leadership from Cairn University and a Bachelor of Arts in Bible from Cedarville University. 

Dennis Gale was appointed to chief people officer of M3 Ultimate Solutions. He will lead consulting services in business management, finance, information technology, project management. Gale has more than 30 years of experience in manufacturing, nuclear power, insurance and retail. He previously worked for the Department of Defense and served in the U.S. Navy. Gale earned a Bachelor of Science degree in workplace development specializing in instructional systems designs.

Marriott IndyPlace named Jennifer Hanna market director of catering sales. Hanna was the director of sales and marketing with Le Meridian Indianapolis and Azul Hospitality Group. In her previous role, Hanna served as senior sales manager at JW Marriott Indianapolis focusing on local corporate customers, business travelers and race weekends. She received a Bachelor of Science degree from Ohio State University and a Master of Education degree from the University of Georgia.

Starla D. Hart is the new director of community initiative of 16 Tech Community Corp. Hart has more than 16 years of community development experience. Hart will work with the advisory committee to launch the 16 Tech Community Investment Fund. In addition, Hart also serves on the Mayor’s Cultural Investment Advisory Council. She worked for LISC Indianapolis in support of the Great Places 2020 initiative and served as director of community initiatives with the Marion County Commission on Youth (MCCOY), was coordinator for the U.S. Attorney’s Indiana Project Safe Neighborhood program and director of Neighborhood partnerships at the IUPUI’s Office of Community Engagement. 

Cassie Li is the new director of finance for Flashpoint Leadership. Li has more than 15 years of finance and accounting experience and previously held positions at 40|86 Advisors, Veolia Environment North America, Indiana University Health and KPMG. She has an MBA from City University of New York-Zicklin School of Business and a bachelor’s degree from Yunnan University of Finance and Economics.

Heidi Monroe was recently appointed deputy director of permanency and practice support of the Indiana Department of Child Services. Monroe was the director of children’s services at Meridian Hill Services and worked for two years as behavioral health director for Talbert House in Cincinnati. Monroe earned a bachelor’s degree from Ball State University in psychological science and a master’s degree from American Public University in public administration.

Northern Indiana Public Service Co. appointed Jennifer Montague as vice president of communications and external affairs. Montague will manage marketing, branding, advertising, media relations, charity and employee communications. She recently served as director of business strategy and technology for Commonwealth Edison. She previously worked at Exelon and British Petroleum. Montague has a Bachelor of Arts in qualitative economics and feminist studies from Stanford University and an MBA from the University of Chicago. 

Smithville Communications and Smithville Telecom named Paul Quick as president. In his new position, Quick oversees the company’s daily operations as well as ensures customers receive quality service. Previously, Quick worked with Frontier Communications in numerous vice president positions in several states. Quick has a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Drake University and an MBA from Pepperdine University, Graziadio School of Business.

Madame Walker Legacy Center recently named Judith Thomas as president. Previously, she was director of convention services for Visit Indy. Thomas will oversee the development of community programs for the Madame Walker Legacy Center and develop a strategic plan for the center’s future.

The Eli Lilly and Co. board recently appointed Karen Walker as a new member. Walker, senior vice president and chief marketing at Cisco, was previously vice president of strategy and marketing for consumer digital entertainment and personal systems at Hewlett-Packard. Walker brings more than 20 years of IT experience in sales and marketing positions. She earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry and business studies from Loughborough University.

Employee volunteerism continues to grow

John Hurst
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Employee volunteerism continues to grow

A total of 850 OneAmerica employees from Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Appleton, Wisconsin, and San Diego volunteered more than 2,500 hours during the company’s fifth annual Week of Caring. The Week of Caring impacted more than a dozen United Way agencies and nonprofits while also spotlighting first responders. Volunteers performed a variety of tasks including landscaping, packaging food kits for children, cleaning, organizing and other duties. Since Week of Caring launched in 2014, OneAmerica participation has increased every year.

 

Receives Sagamore of the Wabash

Mario Rodriguez, executive director of the Indianapolis Airport Authority and chairman of the board of the Indiana Latino Institute, received the Sagamore of the Wabash Award from Gov. Eric Holcomb.

The Sagamore of the Wabash is the highest award given to a citizen in Indiana. Rodriguez, an award-winning aviation expert and author, was appointed by President Barack Obama to the National Department of Transportation Committee for Aviation Consumer Protection. Rodriguez held leadership positions in airports for more than 30 years and is the former president of the California Airports Council and was named one of the 10 most powerful people in Long Beach in  2012.

Black-owned newspaper in Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne Ink Spot Newspaper, a new Black-owned newspaper in the city that focuses on the city’s African-American community, began publication in March 2018. The newspaper continues in the legacy of Frost Illustrated, which ceased publication in October 2017 — after almost 60 years.

The Fort Wayne Ink Spot is owned by local businessman John Dortch. Dortch is president and CEO of the Preston Joan Group and executive officer of the Fort Wayne Black Chamber of Commerce. Managing editor is William Bryant Rozier. Rozier has written for Ebony.com, Indian Country Today and several Fort Wayne publications including Frost Illustrated. Also a photographer, Rozier’s images have been published in USA Today, Black Enterprise magazine, Getty Images, and Poets and Writers magazine. Design manager is Adrian Williams.

University earns diversity award

Ball State University earned the national Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. HEED recognizes colleges and universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. Ball State has received the award three years in a row and will be included in the magazine’s November 2018 issue along with 95 other HEED recipients. INSIGHT Into Diversity is the oldest and largest diversity-focused publication in higher education. Ball State University Trustees approved building a $4 million, 10,500-square-foot facility Multicultural Center in May. In addition, Ball State’s 2017-18 freshman class was the most diverse in the school’s history.

Whistler Award recipient

Marianne Glick, president and owner of GlickArt, received the 2018 Charles L. Whistler Award, which annually recognizes individuals who bring the public and private sectors together for civic improvement in Indianapolis. An Indianapolis native, Glick also is the founder of the Executive Women’s Training Program, chair of the board for the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Family Foundation and president of the Board for TeenWorks. Glick’s name will be added to a limestone and granite monument containing past recipients and located in the Charles L. Whistler Memorial Plaza in City Market in downtown Indianapolis.

 

Name change, same quality care

St. Vincent is now Ascension St. Vincent and will adopt the Ascension logo. The name change is part of an effort to improve access for patients by creating a consistent name for facilities and services nationwide. St. Vincent has been part of national health system Ascension since 1999. Ascension, a leading nonprofit health system, has 2,600 sites of care and 34,000 providers in 21 states and Washington, D.C. The change will not affect patient care as patients will continue to see their current doctor(s).  Ascension St. Vincent operates 24 hospitals and a network of affiliated joint ventures, medical practices and clinics serving central and southern Indiana.

Introduction to management careers

Allegion Americas, which employs 1,200 Hoosiers, invited 50 students to spend the day at the company during the fourth annual Manufacturing Day, which is designed to introduce students to American manufacturers. The event helps Allegion develop relationships with high schools. In addition, Allegion is creating skilled-trade apprenticeship programs.

Grant to fund LGBTQ+ legal assistance

Indiana Legal Services (ILS) received a $385,789 grant from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute to expand its LGBTQ+ Victim Assistance Project, a legal aid program that provides legal advocacy and representation statewide. The grant will fund a third attorney and a law clerk to the LGBTQ+ Project team. The project identifies Hoosiers in need of legal services to address disproportionate rates of violence and discrimination in the LGBTQ+ community. ILS represents individuals in name and gender changes, intimate partner violence, child custody and child neglect and works to eliminate barriers to health care access for those in the LGBTQ+ community. 

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